Government Approves 297 New Day Care Cancer Centres for Enhanced Treatment
New Initiatives in Cancer Care
New Delhi, July 26: The Union government has announced the establishment of 297 new day care cancer centres across the nation for the fiscal year 2025-26.
In a written statement to the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, detailed the government's efforts to combat cancer cases in India.
During the Union Budget presentation in February, it was proposed that every district hospital would host day care cancer centres, with plans to set up around 200 centres in 2025-26.
These centres are designed to administer chemotherapy, a crucial component of cancer treatment, to patients.
"Following the budget announcement for 2025-26, a total of 297 new day care cancer centres have received approval. These facilities will provide follow-up chemotherapy for patients referred from tertiary care centres,” Jadhav explained.
“The establishment cost for each day care cancer centre may reach up to Rs 1.49 crores, depending on the specific needs and gaps at the facility,” he added. Currently, there are 364 such centres operational across the country.
Additionally, the Minister highlighted that the government has established "19 State Cancer Institutes (SCI) and 20 Tertiary Care Cancer Centres (TCCC) in various regions" under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD).
The Centre also offers financial support for acquiring radiotherapy, diagnostic, and surgical equipment, as well as for improving indoor civil work and patient amenities related to cancer treatment.
“The maximum financial assistance for SCI is Rs. 120 crores, while for TCCC, it is Rs 45 crores,” Jadhav stated.
Advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities have been established at the National Cancer Institute in Jhajjar (Haryana) and the second campus of Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute in Kolkata.
Cancer treatment services have also been approved for all 22 new All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).
Moreover, a population-based initiative focusing on the screening, management, and prevention of common non-communicable diseases, including cancer, has been launched as part of Comprehensive Primary Health Care under the National Health Mission (NHM) through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.
To further enhance cancer care, the government is also promoting cancer education.
Jadhav mentioned that the National Medical Commission has made it easier to initiate Postgraduate (PG) courses, including those in Oncology.
“A PG course can be started with just two seats and two faculty members, without the need for a senior resident. In several specialties, the bed requirements for unit formation have been relaxed,” the Minister noted.
“Medical colleges or institutes can apply to start PG courses one year after they have been authorized to begin undergraduate courses; government medical colleges can initiate PG courses concurrently with UG courses,” he added.